November 23, 2007 nº 567 - Vol. 5
"Frequently the more trifling the subject, the more animated and protracted the discussion."
Franklin Pierce
American president (14), 1804-1869
Pakistan barred from Commonwealth
Pakistan has been suspended from the Commonwealth because of its imposition of emergency rule, the organization has announced after a meeting in Uganda. Secretary General Don McKinnon said Pakistan was being suspended "pending restoration of democracy and the rule of law". A senior Pakistani official said the government regretted the suspension. He said the emergency rule will be ended according to internal requirements, not outside pressure. Earlier Pakistan's Supreme Court dismissed a legal challenge to Pervez Musharraf's re-election as president.
Pakistan court allows Musharraf's re-election
Pakistan's Supreme Court has dismissed a final challenge to Musharraf's re-election for another five-year term. The Supreme Court was filled with judges hand-picked by Musharraf. The president has also promised to resign as Pakistan's military chief and hold elections on Jan. 8.
Dollar's freefall may shift power
The U.S. dollar is in freefall after four decades of dominance. It hit an all-time low against the euro, and reached parity with the Canadian dollar for the first time in more than 30 years. Some analysts think this portends a major shift of economic and political power in the world. Many Japanese investors are quitting American investments, in a move that is altering global capital flows and helping to weaken the dollar. Airbus signalled a significant cut in its research and development budget yesterday, as part of emergency measures to face the "life-threatening" effects of the weak US dollar on its largely European production base.
Dollar pressure
Analysts now expect the Federal Reserve to cut US interest rates further when it meets in December in an effort to ease problems in both the housing and credit markets. As worries over the economy continued, investors turned to the safety of government securities, pushing the yield on the Treasury's 10-year note below 4% for the first time since 2005.
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1 - Bush, like Clinton, makes twilight Mideast push. (Read more)
2 - Rail network hit by sabotage as radicals try to wreck peace talks. (Read more)
3 - Snarls, smears and innuendo as attack dogs get ready for the fray. (Read more)
4 - England failure hits Umbro and Sports Direct. (Read more)
Break down barriers to cement relationships with prospects, clients
by Trey Ryder
You want to establish the strongest possible relationship with prospects as quickly as you can. The more formal you act, the more distance your prospect feels between you. The more casual and informal you act, the closer your prospect feels to you.
Here are ideas that will help you erase barriers and build strong bonds with prospects and clients.
1. Come to the reception area and walk your prospect back to your office or conference room.
2. Invite your prospect to call you by your first name. The closer your prospect feels to you, the stronger your bond.
3. Offer your prospect something to drink. This relaxes him and makes him feel more at ease.
4. (For men) If you're wearing a suit coat or sport jacket, take off your coat when you get back to your office or conference room. You might even go as far as loosening your tie, if your prospect isn't wearing a tie. This shows your prospect that you're changing from your formal outside-the-office appearance to your relaxed inside-the-office work mode.
5. Sit next to your prospect on your couch, in comfortable chairs, or at your office conference table. This prevents your desk from coming between you and your prospect.
6. If your prospect engages your services, give your new client the numbers of your home phone and cell phone. You might also include instructions on when you do and don't want after-hours calls.
© Trey Ryder
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Chile – España
La Corte Suprema chilena acogió este jueves un exhorto del juez español Baltasar Garzón en el que pide antecedentes de ex ministros y ex agentes del gobierno de Augusto Pinochet con el fin de someterlos a proceso por genocidio, terrorismo y torturas, confirmaron hoy fuentes judiciales.
Papelera
La empresa finlandesa Botnia expresó públicamente sus disculpas a la población de la ciudad uruguaya de Fray Bentos (noroeste), por el olor emanado de su planta de celulosa, rechazada por Argentina por motivos ambientales, que provocó un malestar pasajero en niños de una escuela de la zona. El gobierno de argentina dispuso un monitoreo de las activides de la papelera para posteriormente elevar un informe a la Corte de La Haya.
Cuba cambios
Opositores al gobierno de Fidel Castro fundaron el jueves en La Habana el Comité Ciudadano de Reconciliación y Diálogo, presidido por Oswaldo Payá, para impulsar cambios pacíficos que estiman muy cercanos en Cuba. La organización surge tras que el presidente interino, Raúl Castro convocara a elecciones nacionales para el 20 de enero, comicios que deben decidir el futuro de Fidel Castro.
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Colombia urged to recall Chavez
France has urged Colombia to reconsider its decision to end the efforts of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to negotiate with the Farc rebel group. Sarkozy said Chavez was still the best person to broker an exchange of 45 of the Farc's hostages for 500 imprisoned guerrillas.
Brazil shocked by jail girl rape
Investigators look into reports that a 15-year-old Brazilian girl was left in a cell with 20 men and repeatedly abused.
Chirac vows to 'fight for honor'
French ex-President Jacques Chirac says he will fight for "truth and honor", after being placed under investigation for misuse of funds while Paris mayor. Chirac was questioned for more than three hours on Wednesday over the alleged embezzlement.
Arabs debate stance for US summit
Arab League foreign ministers are set to meet in Cairo to decide whether to attend next week's Middle East peace conference in the US.
US immigration delays risk votes
Hundreds of thousands of people may not be able to vote in next year's US presidential election because of a huge citizenship application backlog. Hispanic leaders voiced concern over the delays at the US immigration department, which said it had not expected the paperwork mountain. Officials said applications had surged before a July administration fee rise. The backlog could take 18 months to resolve, leaving many applicants unable to vote in the November 2008 election.
Rivals rally over Chavez reforms
Tens of thousands of Venezuelan students have taken part in rival rallies in the capital, Caracas. The demonstrations were part of intensifying campaigns for and against proposals to change the constitution, which go to a referendum on 2 December.
Liquidation of Yukos is completed
Yukos, once Russia's biggest oil company, has now ceased to exist. A simple entry on Russia's State Companies Register on Thursday marked the company's liquidation. The final move in the firm's history, it comes four years after its founder and former owner Mikhail Khodorkovsky was arrested on tax evasion charges.
Cisco director charged in Brazil
A director of the Brazilian unit of Cisco Systems, the US technology giant, has been fired after being formally charged with tax fraud and other crimes involving evasion of up to R$1.5bn ($845m) in import duties and other taxes.
Brazil committee backs Venezuela's entry into Mercosul
A Brazilian congressional committee voted Wednesday to back Venezuelan membership in Mercosul, a key decision that could lead to that country's entry into the South American trade bloc. Chavez angered lawmakers here earlier this year when he called the Brazilian Congress a "pirate's parrot" of the United States for criticizing his decision not to renew the broadcast license of a Venezuelan television station. Some legislators had advocated blocking Venezuela from the trade group, arguing the country does not comply with a clause calling for Mercosul nations to commit themselves to democracy.
UK Law firms gear up for 'Big Bang'
Almost a quarter of UK leading law firms will seek outside investment under new legislation described by some as the legal equivalent of the City of London’s 1986 Big Bang. Dubbed “Tesco law”, the Legal Services Act will allow law firms to go into business with other professionals and even list on the stock market. Most of those who want to take on external capital are medium and small firms, rather than members of the so-called “Magic Circle” of big City lawyers. About 22 per cent of them expect to look for outside capital within the next five years. More than three-quarters of those seeking outside investment would be looking for less than £20m, mostly to fund long-term development, attract new people or make a payout to partners. “It’s a complete mental shift about what lawyers can do and what they are allowed to do.”
Minister sacks Argentine spy boss
Argentina's new defense minister sacks the military intelligence chief after he is caught plotting to oust her.
US shops expect weak Black Friday
As US retailers prepare for Black Friday and the start of the Christmas season, festive cheer seems limited.
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The messages that appear in this newsletter are for informational purposes only. They are not intended to be and should not be considered legal advice nor substitute for obtaining legal advice from competent, independent, legal counsel in the relevant jurisdiction.
Transmission of this information is not intended to create, and receipt does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. The information contained on this list may or may not reflect the most current legal development.